Off weekends

Having three weekends off from showing should give me some time to catch up on odds and ends. Might take the new horse, Chandler to a show just to ride around. Get him accustomed with all the commotion of a show. Next week not sure what to do. It's a birthday weekend so hopefully something fun. The third weekend in May is devoted to making money at the all American youth show in Columbus Ohio. That show is huge and lasts for five days. Great time to make some extra money.

Then it will be time to go to Mason, MI and back to the showing routine. That will be a nice show as well with good competition. Hopefully we can work hard during the off weeks and get our stuff together and come home with lots of points and a good show.

NJ show update

Running on only two hours of sleep we made it back from the show. It was a ten hour drive but a nice drive. The show had great numbers, ranging from 14 to 26 in most of my classes. We showcased a little bit of everything there. Great classes that the judges were not fond of, two classes with a minor bobble but managed to pull some wins, and the last class a rider error by messing up the pattern. Having the weather take a turn for the worse and become rainy and cold did not help matters. My horse is a fair weather show horse. That had something to do with our bobbles. The facility however, was accommodating and people were friendly. We hope to go back soon for another show.

Now a few weekends off to ride the new horse around and give Odie a well deserved break.

IL paint show

The event I attended and participated at was the Illinois Paint horse show. There are a few ways that the show had promoted itself. It did this through advertisements in local and national magazines with the dates of the show and a visible show bill. There was also link on the Illinois paint horse website with information about the show with prices and contact info. Word of mouth is also a great way to find out about the show from those that had been to it in previous years. Mostly by taking to people one finds out whether it is worth attending or not.

As for the venue itself it was not visually appealing. It was an older building and dirty on the inside. Parking lot was filled with lots of stone. Not much grass for dogs that tag along. There was not any advertising for the show inside the building however there were advertisements for upcoming shows.

NJ paint show

Almost that time again. This week we will be leaving for a large paint show in NJ. It is predicted to be much larger than last years show. To get to NJ it will take 9 to 10 hours. We will be leaving late Thurs night and arriving early early Friday morning. We hope that this show will be better than the one in IL.

sponsorships

It is difficult for an equestrian to obtain a sponsorship. Most companies only want to sponsor professionals. They are not interested in putting time and money into an amateur rider. Usually amateur riders that are sponsored by a company are somehow related to that company.

Unless one is at the highest level of their game companies will most likely not be approaching individuals to sponsor them. It is up to the rider to acquire a sponsorship so much time and effort is needed to show how greatly the company can benefit from the sponsored rider.

Brand placement for these companies is usually seen on the riders trailers and in the magazine ads.

Illinois Paint Show

Well it took seven hours but we made it to the show in IL. It took Odie a while to settle in and we were not impressed with the show however, it was good to see friends. The day of the show Odie seemed good and he did his job well. We had some great classes although, the judges we not on our side. Numbers were disappointingly small and we ended up leaving early. That is one show that we will probably not attend again. Definitely glad to be home.

KY

The four judge show in Kentucky was great with lots of entries. Showmanship had 23, halter 15, driving 4, equitation 15, horsemanship 16, and western riding 7. Odie was a star and we came home with numerous points. The weather held out and it was a nice weekend for a show.

This coming weekend Odie and I are headed to Gifford IL for another Four Judge show. This show should also be a large show with good competition.

Alison Dittman places at the Semifinals in CA

Dittman Places in Top Half of Class at Western Semifinals
Pomona, Calif.—Two Tiffin University riders competed at the IHSA Western Semifinals March 27-28 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. Junior Alison Dittman (Winter Haven, FL) placed 8th out of 16 in the Novice Horsemanship class. Dittman qualified for the semifinals by winning the Zone 6, Region 1 Novice Horsemaship class two weeks earlier.
Sophomore Jenna Trillet (Wadsworth, OH) was granted a re-ride, but did not place in her Beginner Horsemanship class of 16 riders. She won the Zone 6, Region 1 Beginner Horsemanship class to qualify for the trip to California.

Aside from the TU equestrian team I will be participating in my first horse show of the year this weekend in Frankfort, KY. It is a nationally recognized Paint Horse Show held over two days on Saturday and Sunday. It should be a large and competitive show with more than twenty individuals in my specific classes. Hoping to have a safe trip and a great show.

Tack Swap in Bowling Green, OH had a good turn out even with the heavy rain. Arriving a little late it was packed with people looking for the best deal. There were two buildings filled with vendors selling both new and used items. My friend and I were fortunate enough to come home with a few used items that will be used at the barn. Seems that the weather never cooperates for this event.

Ohio Paint Horse Amateur auction made around $1200.00 at the tack swap. Not to bad. Actually the best we have made so far.

Horseman’s Flea Market

Wood County Horseman's Flea Market in Bowling Green Ohio.

Date: Sunday March 28 2010

Time: 11-4

Place: Wood County Fairgrounds

Come early to get all the good deal and snacks.

Stock up on last minute items before the show season begins.

The tack swap hosted by the Ohio Paint Horse Amateur Club went great according to my friend Nancy Vanco. She said the attendance was steady. Two of her saddles were also sold that weekend along with some other odds and ends. She herself even bought a new showmanship outfit.

The exact amount of money that was made from selling table spaces and money collected at the door is still unknown. Those figures should be coming in shortly. The money made from this event goes into the Amateur clubs account. It is then used to purchase judges for our shows, the grounds, hotels, and so on. This money is also set aside and held till the end of the year and put towards the purchase of year-end awards.

For five years now the Ohio Paint Horse Tack Swap has been going strong. Hopefully they can continue their success.

TU regional results.

Tiffin Equestrian Advances Two Riders To Semifinals
Concord, Ohio—Two Tiffin University riders qualified for the IHSA Western Semifinals on Sunday, March 14 at Lake Erie Equestrian Center. Junior Alison Dittman won Novice Horsemanship class, while Sophomore Jenna Trillet won Beginner Horsemanship class to qualify for a trip to California and the opportunity to compete in the Semifinals.
Ashley Lewellyn placed third in Beginner Horsemanship and would be the first called in to compete if another rider could not. Sarah Croswhite also place third, but in Intermediate Horsemanship, followed by teammate Josie Holland in fifth place.
In Hunt Seat, Freshman Lauren Stewart placed third in Novice Flat. Stewart placed sixth in Novice Fences behind Dittman who was fourth. Senior Kaitlin Foster placed fifth in Intermediate Flat.
Trillet and Dittman travel to Pamona, Calif. for the Semifinal competition on March 27-28.
--TIFFIN--

Congratulation to those moving on to CA... Good luck

The TU Equestrian team participated at the regional show this past weekend at the Lake Erie college. Results will be posted shortly.

Also a reminder of the horse swap meet this weekend hosted by the Ohio Paint Horse Amateur Club. All information about the swap can be found on the last post.

Coming up is a tack swap sponsored by the Ohio Paint horse Club. Join the fun, get some good deals, and support the OPHC club.

5th Annual
OHIO PAINT HORSE AMATEUR CLUB
Tack Swap
New location for 2010 – Indoors & Heated
Edwards Building, Franklin Cty. Fairgrounds
Hilliard, OH
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9am – 2pm
General Admission $2/ per person. Kids 5& under FREE
$1 DISCOUNT FOR CANNED GOOD OR NON PERISHABLE ITEM DONATION
Proceeds to benefit Lifecare Alliance – Supporting Columbus Cancer Clinic and Project Open Hand pantries

More information can be found at www.ophc.org

Next show

Next up for the equestrian team is two back to back western shows at Ohio State University. This will take place on March 7, 2010.

Hopefully the weather will be warmer than it has been. Those barns can get pretty cold and the show clothing that is worn does not keep anybody warm. So bring the car harts and the blankets and go watch the team as try to bring home a first place finish.

Good luck to those participating and bring home some ribbons.

Findlay Swap Meet

Held on Sunday Feb 21, 2010 at the Findlay University Western Farm the Great Lakes Appaloosa Club sponsored their annual swap meet. People come from all around to shop and sell new and used tack, equipment, and clothes. This is one of the largest horse swap meets around and always holds true to its reputation.

They had a great turn out. The doors opened at ten and people started to file in. By 11:00 the place was jam packed as people pushed their way through the crowd to find the best bargains. By 1:00 the crowd had died down and by two people were starting to pack it up and head home. The event started at 10:00 and was suggested to go until around 3:00.

Another great year for the Findlay swap meet.

Tiffin Posts Third-Place Finish at Ohio IHSA English Competition

Ohio English Show 1 February 12¸2010

Stonegate Farm Coolville, Ohio

Coolville, Ohio—The Tiffin University Equestrian Team scored 32 team points to finish third at the Ohio University English Competition at Stonegate Farm. Ohio won the event with 44 points, followed by Ohio State in second place with 36 points.

TU was led by freshmen and a senior. Freshman Franny Moody won a blue ribbon for the first time in her collegiate career with a win in her Walk Trot class. Fellow frosh Lauren Stewart qualified for regionals in two events with a second-place finish in Novice Fences and a third-place finish in Novice Flat. Stewart will compete in Intermediate Fences and Intermediate Flat on Sunday.

Senior Kaitlin Foster earned two red ribbons with a runner-up finish in Open Fences and a second-place finish in Open Flat. Foster contributed 10 points to the team score.

Several TU student-athletes provided solid rides to lead the Dragons.

Travis Roper finished in third place, while Lindsey McKibben earned a fourth place finish in Advanced Walk Trot Cantor.

Emily Marsh placed fourth, followed by Melissa Cassidy in fifth place in their Advanced Walk Trot Cantor.

LaTicia Jeffers finished third, while Kassandra Ringle earned fifth place in the final Advanced Walk Trot Cantor class of the day.

Jenna Trillet placed fourth in her Walk Trot class.

Ali Dittman earned a fifth-place finish in Intermediate Flat.

Trish Hellein finished sixth in Beginner Walk Trot Canter.

Team Finishes

1. Ohio University 44
2. Ohio State University 36
3. Tiffin University 32
4. Lake Erie College 24
5. Kent State University 13
6. College of Wooster 12
7. Oberlin College 10
8. University of Akron 9
9. Denison 6

Two More Dragon Athletes Qualify for Regionals

Ohio English Show 1 February 14¸2010

Stonegate Farm Coolville, Ohio

Coolville, Ohio—Freshmen Emily Marsh and Travis Roper were the latest Tiffin University Equestrian Athletes to qualify for regionals. Roper won his Advanced Walk Trot Canter class to point up to the Novice Flat level at the Ohio University English Equestrian Competition. Marsh earned the two points (fifth place) she needed to point up in her Advanced Walk Trot Canter class.

Senior Kaitlin Foster completed her collegiate regular-season with the Dragons with a third-place finish in Open Flat. Foster will represent TU at regionals in Intermediate Flat. TU tied for sixth place (lowest finish of the English season) with 13 points as a team.

The competition completed the regular season for the English Equestrian team. The Dragons travel back to Athens for a Western completion on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Several TU student-athletes provided solid rides to lead the Dragons.

Lindsey McKibben recorded a third-place finish in Advanced Walk Trot Canter, while Trisha Hellein placed third in Beginner Walk Trot Canter.

Liz Buskey picked up a fifth-place finish in her Novice Flat class.

Lauren Stewart earned two blue ribbons with fifth-place finishes in Intermediate Flat and Intermediate Fences.

Franny Moody finished in fourth place in her Walk Trot class. Jenna Trillet placed fifth in another class of Walk Trot.

Kassandra Ringle earned sixth place in her class of Advanced Walk Trot Canter.

Team Finishes

1. Ohio University 45
2. Lake Erie College 35
3. Ohio State University 29
4. University of Akron 16
5. Kent State University 15
6. Oberlin College 13
Tiffin University 13
8. Denison 11
9. Wooster 9

Tiffin Posts Third-Place Finish at LEC IHSA English Competition

LEC English Show 1 February 6¸2010 George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center Concord, Ohio
Tiffin Posts Third-Place Finish at LEC IHSA English Competition

Concord, Ohio—The Tiffin University Equestrian Team scored in seven events to surpass Ohio State University for third place at the Lake Erie College IHSA English Competition. The Dragons scored 28 points to OSU’s 25 points. Host LEC won the event with 44 points, closely followed by Ohio University with 42 points.
Several TU student-athletes provided solid rides to lead the Dragons.

Lauren Stewart combined for 12 points, winning her Novice Flat class and placing fourth in Novice Fences.

Ali Dittman earned five points with a second-place finish in Intermediate Fences. She finished third in Intermediate Flat.

LaTicia Jeffers picked up a second-place finish in Advanced Walk Trot Canter.

Trish Hellein won her Beginner Walk Trot Canter class, followed by Kassandra Ringle in fourth place.
Travis Roper placed fourth and Emily Marsh was fifth in the next Advanced Walk Trot Canter class.
Francesca Moody finished runner up for five points in her Walk Trot class, while freshman

Felicia Brewster placed fifth in her first collegiate competition.

Liz Buskey finished fifth in her Novice Flat class.

Amanda Vorst picked up three points with a fourth-place finish in her Beginner Walk Trot.

Lindsey McKibben followed in fifth place in the same class.

Melissa Cassidy earned fifth place in her Advanced Walk Trot Canter class.

Kaitlin Foster placed sixth in Open Flat.
Jenna Trillet rounded out the day with third place finish in the final Walk Trot class.

Team Finishes 1. Lake Erie College 44
2. Ohio University 42
3. Tiffin University 28
4. Ohio State University 42
5. Oberlin College 7

This weekend the team is competing in a hunt show at the Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. Good luck team and bring home the ribbons. Results will be posted shortly.

Dr. Phyllis Watts - Faculty Sport Sponsor (left)

Assistant Coach Claire Johansen- Co-Owner of Lane of Dreams Farm LLC (center)

Head Coach Julie Vogel- Co Owner of Lane of Dreams Farm LLC (right)






Julie, is the Facility Manager and Lead Instructor of the program. She has an Associates of Applied Science in Horse Production and Management from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, Ohio, graduating at the top of her class. Julie has spent her life around horses training and showing. She started at a hunter/jumper barn, showed open and 4H in all disciplines, has judged open shows, trained race horses, has experience in eventing and spent time at a Morgan show stable that showed at the National level. She has been a 4H advisor for over 12 years and serves on the Seneca County Horse Advisory Council. Julie currently shows Third Level Dressage at USDF recognized shows and has taken many horses through the levels. She is a CHA certified riding instructor in English and Western Riding. Julie is a member of USDF, Mid Ohio Dressage Association, International Quarter Pony Association, and 4H. Julie has been married 15 years and is a mother of two.

Claire, is the Director of the program and Instructor. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Ohio State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Tiffin University. Claire grew up helping exercise and groom polo ponies. After a successful business career, she reignited her passion for horses at age 40. In 2005 Lane of Dreams Farm LLC, an Equestrian training center, was founded by Julie and Claire to provide the community with a safe environment to learn English and Western riding and become well rounded horsemen. The program is designed to train horses and people in various environments from indoor schooling to trail riding over various types of terrain. Claire served as a 4H advisor and member of the Seneca County Horse Advisory Council for over ten years. She is a CHA certified riding instructor. Claire is a member of USDF, AQHA, and Flatlanders Combined Training Association and loves learning Dressage. She continues to serve as a Director for various private and public institutions. She has been married 34 years and is the mother of three grown children.

Both of Julie and Clair have many years of experience and knowledge that they can bring to the equestrian team. They are the ones that get the team prepaired for the shows, making sure the boys and girls know the associations rules and, and keeping them on track with their riding lessons. Lots of work goes into prepairing for the competitions but the coaches also make sure the team has fun as well.

Hunt team results

Ohio University Hunt Show
Stonegate Farm
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010


Highlights:

Lauren Stewart recorded 12 points, winning her Novices Flat class and finishing runner up in Novices Fences.
Trish Hellein qualified for regionals with a third-place finish in Walk Trot Class 20. The three points placed her into the next level of Beginner Walk Trot Cantor.
Emily Marsh earned four points with a third-place finish in Beginner Walker Trot Canter Class 18. Her point total allowed her into the Advanced Walk Trot Canter division for Sunday. Kassandra Ringle took sixth place in the same class.
Lindsay McKibben finished fourth in the Beginner Walk Trot Cantor Class 19.
In Walk Trot Class 21, Paige Kruger led the Dragons with a fifth-place finish, followed by Franny Moody in sixth.
LaTicia Jeffers finished fifth in her Advanced Walk Trot Canter Class.
English captain, Kaitlin Foster placed sixth in Open Fences.


Team Finishes

Ohio University, 43 points
Lake Erie College, 21 points
Ohio State, 28 points
Tiffin, 15 points
Wooster, 11 points
Akron, 6 points
Oberlin, 2 points







Ohio University Hunt Show
Stonegate Farm
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010


Highlights:

Kaitlin Foster qualified for regionals and pointed up from the Intermediate Flat class with a win in Class 9. She will now compete in the Open Flat class. In Open Fences, Kaitlin placed fourth in Class 1.
Emily Marsh earned second place in her first competition at the Advanced Walk Trot Canter level.
Trish Hellein placed runner up in her first class of Beginner Walk Trot Cantor.
Lauren Stewart finished runner up in the Novices Fences Class 5.
Lindsay McKibben finished third in Beginner Walk Trot Cantor Class 18.
Frannie Moody and Paige Kruger each earned third placed ribbons in their respective classes of Walk Trot.
Travis Roper placed fifth in Advanced Walk Trot Cantor Class 16.


Team Finishes

Lake Erie College, 44 points
Ohio University, 31 points
Ohio State, 29 points
Tiffin, 24 points
Akron, 7 points
Wooster, 6 points
Oberlin, 4 points

Not all fun and games

Competing with and showing horses takes hard work. Most people think that riding horses day in and out must be a pretty easy life however, much like athletes both horse and rider must stay in shape to perform at their peek.

This sport requires the horse and rider to be in unison during the performance. To achieve this balance consistency is key. Most riders will be with their horse for a number of hours each day riding, grooming, and practicing drills over and over. Horses learn by repetition so, the more a maneuver is performed the quicker it will come.

The TU team devotes many hours for workout sessions and much time is spent at the Land of Dreams Farm for their individual and group riding lessons. Time is spent here learning and preparing for the next show.

Team Schedule

2010 show schedual

All hunt show to begin at 12:00 on Saturday

1/ 23-24 - Ohio University (hunt)

2/ 6-7 - Lake Erie (hunt)

2/ 13-14 - Ohio University (huny)

2/ 21 - Ohio University (western)

3/ 7 - OSU (western) 2 shows

3/ 14 - Regionals at Lake Erie college

3/ 27-28- Western Semifinals in California

4/ 11 - Zones at Ohio University

About Me

By first look you wouldn't guess what I do for a living. The wild hair throws most peole off. I travel around the world nine months out of the year to compete and show horses. Doing this since the age of nine, it has gotten to be quite normal. With my horse we have won numerous all around titles and high points, are currently and previously first in the nation in desired events, and have won multiple world and reserve world championship titles. Together my horse and I make a wonderful team.

Besides competing with my horse I am facinated with extreme sports such as skatebording, bmx, and motocross. I hope to be involved with these sports in the near future.

In my spare time I enjoy working on and painting designs for a clothing lable my friend and I would like to start up once out of school.